Anti-Obesity Effects of Traditional and Commercial Kochujang in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Kochujang shows anti-obesity effects in cell and animal models. Kochujang is traditionally prepared via slow fermentation or commercially using Aspergillus oryzae. We analyze the anti-obesity effects of two types of Kochujang in overweight and obese adults. The analyses included the following groups: traditional Kochujang containing either a high-dose (HTK; n = 19), or a low-dose of beneficial microbes (LTK; n = 18), and commercial Kochujang (CK; n = 17). Waist circumference decreased significantly in the HTK and CK groups. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased in the HTK and LTK groups. Visceral fat is significantly reduced in the HTK group. The population of beneficial microorganisms in stool samples increased in all groups. Consumption of Kochujang reduces visceral fat content and improves the lipid profile, which can be enhanced by enrichment with beneficial microbes. These results suggest that Kochujang has the potential for application in obesity prevention.

The impact of botanical fermented foods on obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

“…As such, this study was assessed as having some concerns due to missing outcome data and selective reporting. Han et al [70] was found to be of some concern regarding selective non-reporting, as it did not present any between-group analysis data; we were unable to ascertain, despite inquiries, whether analysis was performed, or if no significant differences were found and therefore unreported. In all other studies with dropouts, the authors documented the reasons for missing outcome data, which were all unrelated to the outcomes (e.g.…”

“…[53,60,64,65] Akamine et al [62] also reported no dropouts, but only analysed 88% of participants for plasma SCFA, and 85% of participants for faecal microbiota composition, due to missing or uncollected samples. Analysis of over 90% of randomised participants (91 to 96%) was conducted in ten studies; [55,[57][58][59]63,[66][67][68][69][70] all of these studies used per-protocol analysis. Between 80 to 90% of participant data was analysed in five studies, [71][72][73][74][75] with only Cha et al [72] and Oh et al [73] using intention-to-treat analysis for missing data.…”

“…[63][64][65][66][67][68][69][71][72][73][74][75][76][77] Eight of the ten studies assessed to be of some concern [53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60] would likely be upgraded to low risk if more information regarding randomisation and allocation concealment was provided. Han et al [70] likely engaged in selective non-reporting of between-group analysis; more information from authors may change the level of risk assigned. Nakamura et al [78] would be deemed low risk if the primary analysis is used.…”

“…RCTs by An et al [54] and Lee et al [56] were only described in abstracts. There were seven crossover studies, [53][54][55][56]69,75,77] with the rest being of parallel design; 15 were double-blinded or more, [64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] whilst 11 were open-label studies.…”

“…The studies measured some combination of the following relevant outcomes: blood lipids (TC, TG, [70] did not perform between-group analysis. No significant adverse effects were reported.…”